Effective Ways to Manage Anxiety

Um. My list is super long. I'm glad to say that I share many of Nezzy's go tos. I won't repeat hers for brevity. I suppose this could be considered part of therapy, but I think it's worth mentioning that I find a DBT (dialectical behavioral therapy) tool very useful. I build myself a sort of bridge back. If I'm worried about money, I collect the pieces of information that let me feel OK enough to keep going, even if my money situation isn't all the way OK. So then I have a list of things to go over every time my brain is freaked out about money. It becomes a pattern that I repeat, just like a meditation exercise. Eventually, just the practice of going through the list is calming. I also have friends that I can reach out to who get my anxiety, so it doesn't have to feel like a dirty secret (this place seems pretty good for that, too.) Just to have that feeling of being valid and "normal" - even if it's my own kind of normal. I have other stuff, but maybe I'll just start there. I hope it helps!

Here’s what I’ve used to manage my anxiety: - therapy - meditation (like Calm) - yoga - long walk outside to get my mind off things - soothing bath with Epsom salts - spraying a calming scent on my pillow - weighted blanket - cutting out caffeine (I only have decaf lattes now 🙃) If all else fails, try getting on medication. You don’t have to suffer alone or push through— seeking out pharmacological relief is valid. Take good care